It is reported that Ohio lawmakers are considering a measure that would call blast furnaces a source of green energy and instantly pit steel makers against wind farm developers.
AK Steel of Middletown wants to build a USD 310 million power plant that would use the foul gases from its blast furnace as a fuel rather than a waste gas that it must by law now flare. ArcelorMittal in Cleveland is interested in the technology.
AK Steel has already won a USD 30 million grant from the US Department of Energy for this first of its kind US power generator that could help US steel makers with power bills. The plant must be built by 2015 to qualify.
The proposal also has the blessing of the US Environmental Protection Agency because it would produce something of value from a dangerous waste gas.
AK Steel and its partner, Air Products and Chemicals of Allentown, which would own and operate the facility, said that the power plant would cost about twice as much as a similar-sized plant that burns natural gas.
The company therefore has asked lawmakers to amend Ohio's green energy law and classify the electricity generated with blast furnace gases as renewable energy, even though the blast furnace itself is fueled with coke, a substance made from coal.
Senator Mr William Coley said that "We tailored this bill to include just waste gas from blast furnaces. We are in Ohio. Blast furnaces are as natural as wind and sun in Ohio."
